Hundreds missing after South Korea ship sinks

 
Hundreds of passengers remain missing several hours after a South Koren passenger ferry sank with 475 on board, 100 km south of the Korean peninsula.

About 180 passengers, including high school students, were plucked to safety in Wednesday's dramatic rescue, although at least two people had died.

Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett, reporting from Seoul, said that at least 290 passengers are still missing, hours after the ferry sank. The two passengers who are reported dead are a crew member and a teenaged student, Fawcett reported.

The ferry, identified as the Sewol, was carrying 475 passengers and crew and 150 vehicles, according to Korean port authorities, when it began to list badly as it neared Jeju island.
Within hours, television pictures showed the Sewol lying on its port side.
 Soon after the ship had completely capsized, with only the forward part of its white and blue hull showing above the water.
The students and teachers were on a field trip to Jeju when the ship sank.
Rescue operation

A distress signal was sent from the ship early on Wednesday, the South Korean coastguard said, triggering a rescue operation involving dozens of ships and helicopters.